Dear Dog Lover: The thought of your grandma having to give up her dog at this time brings tears to my eyes. This is her companion, her child, her barrier against loneliness. Read more →
Entries categorized "Tips for Seniors"
Dear Carol: My dad has been Mom’s caregiver since her stroke ten years ago. Dad’s 79 and healthy except for Type 2 diabetes. Read more →
Mom is, for the most part, a good caregiver, but she’s resentful about what happened, and why wouldn’t she be? She has a right to these feelings except that her resentment shows through to Dad through her body language as well the tone of her voice, and from my observation, this increases Dad’s anxiety. Read more →
...Hodges and The Candid Caregiver communicated by email about the best ways to go about selecting a nursing home. Below is an outline of Hodges’ thoughts: Read more →
Who is taking our parents to the doctor regularly? Me. Who is making sure that groceries are picked up? Who is doing their cleaning and much of their cooking? Me. Who is on call for every emergency? Me. Read more →
Often, however, if the death follows a long illness or significant pain, we can also feel a sense of relief that their suffering is over and we can get on with healing. It's often the in between time - the caregiving years - that is the most difficult to label. Read more →
Developing dementia doesn’t take away your individuality or humanity any more than developing cancer or diabetes. Therefore, rather than concentrate only on drugs, we need to help caregivers – and yes professionals – better understand how to help people living with dementia... Read more →
Dear KL: I understand what you’re saying and applaud you for thinking of your children ahead of time. Throughout the years, I’ve heard from caregivers who’ve lost a great deal both financially and emotionally due to caregiving responsibilities. Read more →
Now you are thrust into the valley of despair, an unknown yet fertile place of psychic deconstruction. It is here where your shadow lives, Read more →
His head drifted to my shoulder and that last, gentle breath slipped by unnoticed by me. What I felt was the positive force of Dad’s spirit leaving his body. And then — joy! Did I just write joy? Yes, I did. Read more →